Péché Mortel (French for "Mortal Sin") is an intensely black and dense beer with very pronounced roasted flavours. Fair trade coffee is infused during the brewing process, intensifying the bitterness of the beer and giving it a powerful coffee taste. Péché mortel is brewed to be savored; we invite you to drink it in moderation.

This stout style, high in alcohol and bitterness in order to favour preservation, was historically brewed to support the long and arduous voyage necessary to export the beer from England to Russia. The word Imperial comes from the fact that the beer was specially brewed for the Russian tsar’s court.

Finally get around to reviewing this. Thanks to Seany for this particular bottle.

Poured from a 341ml. bottle, bottled 04/12.

Appearance: A thick and dark brown body is poured. A (not too) huge light brown head forms and the bottom cascades and reminds me of someone shaking out a sheet for some reason. Spidery lacing merges seamlessly with the head.

Smell: Just popping the cap unleashes the aroma. Freshly grinded coffee mixed with raw coffee beans, a type of buttery chocolate and some nuts.

Taste: First sip is all about the creamy yet robust coffee (think espresso), some nutty chocolate, roasted beans, milky and macadamia nuts.

Mouthfeel: Carbonation could be a tad lower but that's just a quibble. Starts velvety and smooth but the coffee bitterness creeps up midway and asserts itself right through the finish.

Overall: This one never disappoints. One of my all-time favorite beers (if not THE favorite).

T: Similar to it's smell. A nice balance of bittering hops and bitter-sweet coffee notes all the way down. Semi-sweet chocolate and vanilla caramel roasted malts.

M: Not as thick or syrupy as I expected. Good amount of carbonation and smooth which makes for a very drinkable imperial coffee stout. Notes of bitter coffee linger on the palate for a while and makes you look forward to that next complex sip. It's a sipper for sure.

O: A successful coffee stout from Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel. I'll be seeking out more of their brews. This has a wonderful coffee aroma and taste and I really enjoyed the mouthfeel on this beer. Really drinkable despite the ABV. I'm putting it up on my list with the Speedway Stout.

A: Pours pitch black with a finger of dense tan foam. Great retention.

S: Roast is most dominant with a bit of bitter coffee in the background. I get a bit of toffee behind that.

T: Smooth roast and coffee paired with dark chocolate and a bit of caramel. Bitterness is quite strong in this beer - the taste lingers in your mouth well after the swallow. As the beer warms, more caramel sweetness comes out. Straight forward, but nice.

M: Medium mouthfeel for the style with creamy carbonation.

O: This beer reminds me a lot of Speedway Stout (but not quite as good). It has a nice roast and caramel flavor with a bit of dark chocolate. I really enjoyed this - my glass was empty in less than 20 minutes.

Got a bottle in trade. Notches indicate may 2011. Drank in September 2012.

Pours dark black. Decent lumpy tan head lingers for a long time and sticks to the sides of the glass. Smells of coffee. Almost coffee liqueur.

Tastes smoky, and of coffee. Long coffee finish. Nice thick mouthfeel coats the tongue. Almost oily - pleasantly so. Really nice balance of coffee and beer. The usual notes in a good stout as well -- chocolate, malt, molasses... Well done.